86

cozy, crafty h

ome

Attach a zipper foot to your machine.

Beginning at one end of the zipper, sew up

one side of the zipper, pivot and sew across

the zipper, pivot and sew back down the other

side, then pivot to sew across the zipper again.

(FIgure*2) For more information on installing a

zipper, see the Don’t Fear the Zipper sidebar.

Working on the right side of the pillow, use

a seam ripper to gently remove the basting

stitches and expose the zipper.

3. sew the pillow coverUnzip the zipper, and fold the pillow in half,

right sides together, at the zipper seam so that

the remaining 3 raw edges are aligned; pin.

Sew around all 3 sides with a ½" (13mm) seam

allowance. (FIgure*3)

Trim the corners (page 19) (FIgure*3), and turn

the pillow cover right side out through the

zipper opening. Using a pointy tool, gently

push out each corner. Press the corners and

seams. Insert your pillow form and close the

zipper.

FIgure*3

Sewing book, Brett BaraPotter Craft613_bara_9780307586650_r2

Installing*zippers*strikes*terror*into*the*hearts*of*

many*sewers,*even*those*who*aren’t*beginners.*But*

people,*I’m*here*to*tell*you:*The*only*thing*you*have*

to*fear*is*fear*itself.

Zippers*really*are*easy*to*do.*They’re*quick,*and*

they*can*be*quite*painless—especially*using*my*

favorite*method,*which*works*whenever*you*are*

installing*a*standard*zipper*on*a*seam,*like*in*this*

pillow*cover.*(Make*sure*you’re*using*a*standard*

zipper,*not*an*“invisible”*zipper,*which*requires*a*

different*installation*method.)*Here’s*how*to*do*it.

1.**Determine*where*on*your*seam*you*will*place*

your*zipper,*and*baste*this*portion*of*the*seam*

closed.*Sew*the*remainder*of*the*seam*with*a*

regular*stitch.

2.**Pin*the*zipper*right*side*down*on*the*wrong*side*

of*the*seam,*centering*the*zipper*teeth*over*the*

basted*portion*of*the*seam.

3.**Load*your*machine*with*a*zipper*foot.*Beginning*

at*the*top*of*the*zipper,*sew*down*one*side*of*the*

zipper.*When*you*reach*the*end*of*the*zipper*(just*

below*the*metal*cap*holding*the*teeth),*pivot*and*

sew*across*the*zipper*width,*then*pivot*and*sew*

up*the*other*side*of*the*zipper.*If*you’re*making*a*

garment*or*other*item*where*the*top*of*the*zipper*

will*be*open,*stop*here.*If*you’re*making*a*pillow*

or*other*item*where*the*fabric*above*the*zipper*is*

closed:*When*you*reach*the*top*of*the*zipper*(just*

above*the*zipper*pull),*pivot*to*sew*across*the*

width*of*the*zipper*again,*ending*when*you*reach*

the*point*where*you*began*stitching,*creating*

a*complete*rectangle*of*stitching.*Backstitch*to*

secure.

4.**Working*on*the*right*side*of*the*fabric,*carefully*

remove*the*basting*stitches*with*a*seam*ripper,*

and*you’re*done!*enjoy*your*beautiful*zipper,*

which*is*nearly*invisible*inside*the*seam.

don’t fear the zipper All it takes is one yard of fabric and some cute trim to whip up these

quick and easy shams. French seams make them fully finished on the

inside and outside, for super-professional results.

15-minute shams

finished dimensionsLengTH: 35" (89cm)

WIDTH: 17½" (44.5cm)

supplies

** Basic sewing supplies (page 11)

** For*one*sham:

1 yard (91cm) medium-weight cotton

1½ yard (1.4m) trim

87

15-minute sham

s

1. measure + cutFor each pillow sham, cut a rectangle 36" x 41"

(91cm x 104cm).

2. sew the hemTurn under one of the 41" (104cm) edges ½"

(2.5cm) and press. Turn that edge under again

5" (12.5cm) and press. Topstitch (page 17),

sewing close to the inner folded edge.

3. sew the side seamsFold the piece in half with wrong sides

together, aligning the hemmed edge with itself

and matching the 36" (91cm) raw edges. Sew

the long side with a ¼" (6mm) French seam

(page 18).*Next, sew the remaining short edge

with a*¼" (6mm) French seam.

Turn the case right side out and press.

4. attach trimUsing a hand-sewing needle, stitch the trim to

the sham parallel to the hemmed edge of the

sham, about 1" (2.5cm) from the edge.

Reprinted from Sewing in a Straight Line by Brett Bara. Copyright © July 19, 2011. Published by Potter Craft, a division of Random House, Inc.